Have You Visited Michigan’s Surprising ‘Bucket List’ Food Destination?

Michigan is the home of some of the best variations of America's favorite foods. We've perfected cooking with blueberries and cherries, our ginger ale (Vernor's) is the most superior of all, and don't get me started on how good our take on the Coney Dog is.

So when I saw that lovefood.com released a list of "Bucket-List food experiences in every US state, I instantly assumed that one of those would make the list. And, I was partially right. They picked two destinations in the mitten state. One is an obvious choice, while the other is a little out of left field.

The first Michigan destination on their list involved our take on the Coney Dog. They suggested trying out the rival Coney stands, Lafayette and American, in downtown Detroit. They said you have to try both so you can judge for yourself which one is your favorite (Although, I think they're probably just trying not to pick a side in a decades-long feud.)

Meanwhile, their second choice will leave you scratching your head in confusion. Of all of the things we're known for, Cranberries wouldn't be at the top of my list. However, they suggest visiting one of Michigan's cranberry farms if you want the ultimate bucket-list foodie experience.

Their reasoning?

Michigan’s vast cranberry bogs look like something from another world when they’re flooded for harvest. Happily, some farms allow visitors to come and see the spectacle. Among them is DeGrandchamp Farms, whose fall-time Cranberry Harvest Days include trolley rides out to the bogs, as well as tastings and family-friendly activities.

Excuse me, what? We have some incredible apple, cherry and blueberry farms and festivals in our state. Never have I heard of someone going to a cranberry festival and seeing planes flying overhead. 

Sure, we have cranberries, but I thought Wisconsin was the Great Lakes state that takes the most credit for cranberries. In fact, if you really want to talk about cranberry destinations, wouldn't you visit Massachusetts, the namesake area of Ocean Spray?

I have a small theory that someone writing this article got their M-named states confused. Or hey, maybe we're just missing out... Skip the Cherry Festival in Traverse City and trade it out for Cranberry Harvest Days and let me know how that goes for you.